JP2002041274A - Outputted-result totaling system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outputted-result totaling system that can total the result of output according to the project which a user belongs to. SOLUTION: When a job such as printing or the like is transmitted to an outputting device such as a printer or the like, a specific project identifier is transmitted to the outputting device. The outputting device correlates the result of the output with the project identifier, and records them. Therefore, for example, the result of the output can be totaled according to each of the projects.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for creating a log of a result of use of an image processing apparatus connected to a network in a network environment including a client computer and a server computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image processing apparatus that performs image reading and image forming operations, such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, a copying machine, and a multifunction device that integrates the same, determines the number of image reading operations and the number of image forming operations. It is counted and held within. The retained count has been used for charging users, maintaining equipment, and the like.
Also, instead of simply counting the number of image formations,
Some had independent counters for each type, such as department, individual, paper size, double-sided, full-color, and monochrome.

For example, when a counter is provided for each individual,
A user ID of a management card in which user information is recorded in advance by a magnetic signal or the like, or a PC that creates print data (Per
sonal Computer)
Based on this, the user was authenticated and the counter was updated. When a counter is provided for each department, the user and the department to which the user belongs are registered in advance, and the department is specified based on the user ID obtained by the above-described method, and the counter is updated for each department. I was going.

[0004] Further, with the spread of networks, image reading and reading of printers, scanners, facsimile machines, copiers, and multi-function devices integrating them, and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an image processing apparatus that performs an image forming operation performs printing, scanning, and faxing via a network. As described above, in a usage mode in which various devices are connected via a network, a user ID is transmitted from a host computer or another image processing apparatus.
Is added to the job data and transmitted to the image processing apparatus, thereby inputting information necessary for user authentication, performing user authentication, and performing a process of specifying a counter to be updated. The usage amount was calculated by summing up the counter values.

[0005]

However, in the above-described tallying method, since the tallying cannot be performed according to the user's use purpose (project), the user needs to know how much money is spent for what purpose. Was difficult to calculate.

For example, as shown in FIG. 17, in an organization such as a company, users belong to specific departments (sections A to C), and users in various departments are involved in some projects (use applications). Doing work. When calculating expenses such as printing and facsimile, totaling for each user can be easily performed by taking a log based on the user ID when the user logs in to the network.
The tallying for each department can be executed by associating the user ID with the department to which the user belongs, registering it in a print server or the like in advance, and specifying the department from the user ID acquired at the time of login. it can.

However, since projects (uses) change in a short period of time and involve a large number of users, it is extremely troublesome to register in advance based on a user ID as in a department. Accompanied by In addition, since one user is involved in a plurality of projects (use applications), it cannot be registered in association with a user ID like a department, and cannot be managed on a department basis as in the related art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a tallying method, a tallying method, and a tallying method that enable tallying for each use application (project) of a user. It is intended to provide a device.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in an output result totaling system including an information processing device and an output device, information for outputting data to the output device is transmitted from the information processing device. A setting means for setting a project identifier of an arbitrarily designated project, and a recording means for recording the project identifier set by the setting means and the output result in association with each other. Provide system. Thus, output results can be totaled for each project.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

A PC included in the print log totaling system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a P for giving a print instruction or operating print log tallying software.
C. The PC 100 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1
C that executes an application, a printer driver, and print log aggregation software stored in the hard disk (HD) 111 or supplied from the floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FD) 112
A PU (Central Processing Unit) 101 is provided. The CPU 101 controls each device connected to the system bus 104 as a whole. 103 is a RAM (Random)
Access Memory), which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 101. Reference numeral 105 denotes a user command input controller (KBC) which controls input of instructions from a keyboard (KB) 109 or a pointing device (not shown). 106 is a CRT controller (CRTC),
The display of the CRT display (CRT) 110 is controlled. A disk controller (DKC) 107 controls access to a hard disk (HD) 111 and a floppy disk controller (FD) 112 that store a boot program, various applications, edit files, user files, a network management program, and the like.

A printing apparatus included in the print log totaling system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, a printing apparatus 200 has a ROM 2
02 or a CPU 201 for executing software supplied from a storage medium such as a RAM 203. still,
The CPU 201 controls each device connected to the system bus 204 as a whole. 203 is a RAM, which is a CPU 2
01 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like. 20
Reference numeral 5 denotes a user command input device, which controls input of instructions from a touch panel or the like of the main body. 206 is a panel display unit,
It controls and displays the status of the main unit. 207 is
It controls the main body of the printing apparatus 200 as a printing device.
Reference numeral 208 denotes an interface control unit (I / F) which is a LAN (L
In this case, data is bidirectionally exchanged with a local printer, a network printer, another network device, or another PC via an ocal area network (120). 210
Denotes a disk controller (DKC) for controlling access to a hard disk (HD) 211 or the like that stores print jobs for storage printing such as file printing and store printing.

The network device is not limited to a printing apparatus, but may be an image processing apparatus that performs image reading and image forming operations, such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, a copier, and a multifunction device integrating them.

A print log totaling system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 200 denotes a printing apparatus;
Denotes a PC (Personal Computer); 100-1 denotes a print client computer that transmits print data including print data and control codes to the printing apparatus 200;
Reference numeral 0-2 denotes a print log totalization computer that acquires print log data from the printing apparatus 200 and totals the data, and displays the totalization result. Print client computer 10
0-1, the print log aggregation computer 100-2, and the printing apparatus 200 are, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark).
Are connected to each other, and can communicate with each other. In addition, it is not limited to the network,
The PC 100 and the printing device 200 may be connected by a Centronics cable or the like. The print client computer 100-1 and the print log totaling computer 1
00-2 may be realized by the same PC. At least a plurality of print client computers 100-1 exist.

In the printing apparatus 200, reference numeral 322 denotes a printing mechanism for forming a desired permanent visible image on recording paper.

Reference numeral 325 denotes a log data storage unit, which is a storage medium composed of the HD 211 for storing print log data and other memory resources.

A log management unit 324 manages print log data. That is, print log data is created from the job start / end status and the like, and the log data
5 is stored. When a print log acquisition request is issued, print log data is acquired from the log data storage unit 325.

Reference numeral 208 denotes the print client computer 1
00-1, Interface control unit (I / F) for controlling the interface with print log totaling computer 100-2
When a print log acquisition request command is sent from the print log totaling computer 100-2, bidirectional communication is enabled.

Reference numeral 323 denotes a data analysis unit which, when the data sent from the interface control unit (I / F) 208 is print data, transfers the print data to the print mechanism unit 322. If the data sent from the interface control unit (I / F) 208 is a print log acquisition request command, the print log data is acquired from the log management unit 324, and is transmitted via the interface control unit (I / F) 208. It is passed to the print log totaling computer 100-2. Further, the start / end of the job is notified to the log management unit 324.

Print client computer 100-1
Reference numeral 301 denotes an application, which is software for creating data intended by a user. When the operating system (OS) of the print client computer 100-1 is, for example, Windows (product name), the application 301 executes a drawing command ( GD
I) is also included. The application 301 is stored in the ROM 1
02 or stored in the HD 111 or supplied from the FD 112 and executed by the CPU 101.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a data processing unit, which is a printer driver that generates print data and control codes for outputting data sent from the application 301 to the printing apparatus 200. Also, information such as a project identifier to be described later is added.

Reference numeral 108-1 denotes an interface control unit (I /
In F), the interface with the printing apparatus 200 is controlled.

In the print log totaling computer 100-2, reference numeral 314 denotes a print log data storage unit, which is a storage medium including the HD 111 for storing print log data and other memory resources.

Reference numeral 311 denotes a display unit which issues a print log acquisition request to a print log management unit 312 to be described later, and displays a print log totaling result and the like based on the information acquired from the print log management unit 312. Display.

Reference numeral 312 denotes a print log management unit which manages print log data. If there is a print log acquisition request from the display unit 311, the print log data is acquired from the print log data storage unit 314 and passed to the display unit 311. When there is no data in the print log data storage unit 314 or when there is a request such as a forced acquisition request, the print log data is acquired from a print log acquisition unit 313 described later and passed to the display unit 311.

Reference numeral 108-2 denotes an interface control unit (I /
In F), the interface with the printing apparatus 200 is controlled to enable two-way communication.

Reference numeral 313 denotes a print log acquisition unit. When print log data is acquired from the interface control unit (I / F) 108-2, the print log data is passed to the print log management unit 312. When a print log acquisition request is received from the print log management unit 312, the interface control unit 108-2.
A print log acquisition request is issued to the printing apparatus 200 via the. Further, even when there is no print log acquisition request, the print log acquisition unit 313 receives the notification from the printing apparatus 200 at a predetermined cycle or receives the notification from the printing apparatus 200, and thereby prints the print log via the interface control unit 108-2. Data may be acquired.

(Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, an operation procedure of a system capable of totalizing print logs according to a user's use purpose (project) will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the print client computer 10
The procedure of operation 0-1 will be described with reference to FIG. Each procedure is performed by the C of the print client computer 100-1.
PU 101 has ROM 102, RAM 103, HD 11
It is executed by performing the processing according to the program stored in 1 or the like.

The user operates the print client computer 1
When the user logs in to 00-1 and issues a print instruction, the application 301 activates the data processing unit 302.

In S401, a user interface 501 for setting a printer driver (data processing unit 302) as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the CRT 110 of the print client computer 100-1, and a printing apparatus (printer) to be used, A project name is selected by a project name input unit 502 along with a print range, the number of copies, and the like, and setting is performed. Thus, the project can be specified by the printer driver. In addition, a project can be arbitrarily registered and deleted.

In S402, the project identifier specified by the printer driver is stored in the project identifier field 604 of the job packet shown in FIG.

Here, the structure of the job packet will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 601 denotes a header code for identifying a protocol. Here, values such as a job start command, a job attribute, and a job end command are stored. 60
A user ID field 2 stores a user ID input when the user logs in to the print client computer 100-1. A section identifier field 603 stores a section corresponding to the user ID. still,
The print client computer 100-1 stores in advance a table in which the user ID and the department to which the user belongs are associated with the HD 211 or the like. 604 is a project identifier field. A data field 605 stores data corresponding to the header code 601.
If the header code 601 is a job start command or a job end command, NULL is stored in the data field 605. If the header code 601 is the job attribute / print data, the print data is stored. Here, if the printing apparatus 200 that performs printing is a page printer, print data is written in a page description language (PD).
L: Page Description Language).

In S403, the job packet is transmitted to the printing device 200.

Next, the procedure of the operation of the printing apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Each procedure is performed by the CPU 201 of the printing apparatus 200 by the ROM 202, the RAM 203, and the HD2.
11 is performed by performing processing according to a program stored in the storage unit 11 or the like.

In step S801, a job packet is received from the print client computer 100-1.
In the following processing, the received job packet is
Handled as job data composed of a plurality of job packets.

In step S802, the data analysis unit 323 analyzes the job data received in step S801, and determines whether a job start command is stored in the header code 601.

If it is determined in step S802 that the job start command is stored in the header code 601, the processing proceeds to step S8.
At 03, an area for creating a new print log is secured in the log data storage unit 325, the user identifier and the department identifier of the job packet are stored in a predetermined field of the print log, and the processing from S804 is executed in order.

Here, the structure of the print log will be described with reference to FIG. The print log items include the job ID
901, execution date and time 902, user 903, department 904,
Project identifier 905, number of printed pages 906, number of sheets 907, FAX transmission time 908, FAX destination number 9
09 and the number of scans 910. Job ID 9
01 is a number for uniquely identifying a print log, and may be a sequential number, but needless to say, it may be a unique number. The user 901 has the user identifier 602, and the department 904 has the department identifier 60.
3. The project identifier 604 stores the project identifier 604. The number of printed pages 906, the number of sheets 907, the fax transmission time 908, the fax destination number 9
For example, the count of the charging target such as 09 and the number of scans 910 is given. In addition, the charging counter information that can be acquired by the printing apparatus 200, such as the ink usage, the media type, the power usage, and the telephone line type. It may be included in the print log.

In step S804, it is determined whether a project identifier is stored in the job data received in step S801.

If it is determined in step S804 that the project identifier is stored, in step S805, the project identifier added to the job data is stored in the project identifier field 905 of the print log.

In step S806, the job data received in step S801 is analyzed for each job packet.

The job packet determined to store the job attribute / print data in the header code 601 in S806 is transmitted to the printing mechanism unit 322 in S807.

The job packet for which it is determined in step S806 that the job end command is stored in the header code 601 waits for the last discharge, and after the discharge is completed, returns to step S81.
At 0, the print result information such as the end result and the number of prints is acquired from the print mechanism unit 322 and stored in the print log, and the recording to the print log data ends.

If it is determined in step S802 that the job start command is not stored in the header code 601, it is determined in step S808 whether the job attribute / print data is stored in the header code 601.

If it is determined in step S808 that the job attribute / print data is stored in the header code 601, the above-described processing from step S804 is sequentially executed.

If it is determined in step S808 that the job attribute / print data is not stored in the header code 601, the process proceeds to step S808.
In 809, it is determined whether or not a job end command is stored in the header code 601.

If it is determined in step S809 that a job end command is stored in the header code 601, the process waits for the last sheet ejection, and after the sheet ejection is completed, executes step S810.

Next, the print log totaling computer 100-
The procedure of the operation 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Each procedure is performed by the CPU 10 of the print log totaling computer 100-2.
1 is executed by performing processing according to a program stored in the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the HD 111, or the like.

In step S701, print log data is acquired by the print log acquisition unit 313 from the printing apparatus 200 via the interface control unit (I / F) 108-2.

In S702, the print log data acquired in S701 is totalized based on the identifier specified by the operator.

In step S703, the print log tabulation results tabulated in step S702 are displayed on the user interface 1001 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, project 1002, user 1003, department 1 are displayed as display items.
004, number of copies 1006, paper size (not shown), monochrome / color (not shown), FAX transmission time 1
007 and the number of scans 1008. As the data of these items, values calculated from the respective values included in the print log data shown in FIG. 9 are displayed. In FIG. 10, the print client computer 100-1 sends the print device 20.
This shows a state in which a “project-specific log”, which is a result of a total performed based on the set project identifier when the print data is transmitted to “0”, is displayed. The project includes “Project 0023” and “Project 0”.
024 "and" project 0025 ". The user 1003, the department 1004, and the like as detailed information of each print job included in each project and as information for specifying the print job.
Are acquired from the print log data and displayed. Display items to be charged include 1006 copies, paper size (not shown), color / monochrome (not shown), FAX
The transmission time 1007, the number of scans 1008, and the like are displayed.

In FIG. 10, "project-specific log" is displayed. According to the instruction of the operator of the print log totaling computer 100-2, the total is calculated for each department or each user, and the "log for each department" or It is also possible to display “log for each user”.

The print client computer 100
In -1, when printing is set in S401 of FIG. 4, the print log totaling computer is inquired about the cumulative output number and the upper limit number assigned to the corresponding project to confirm whether output is possible. You may.

The print log totaling computer 100-
2 includes accounting calculation software, calculates a printing fee from the print log totaling result, and prints the print client computer 100-
In step S1, when performing print settings in step S401 of FIG.
By inquiring the print log totaling computer about the accumulated fee and the upper limit fee assigned to the corresponding project, it may be confirmed whether output is possible.

According to this embodiment, when a user belonging to a project requests output of a print job from a printing apparatus via a PC, an arbitrary project is set and a project identifier is transmitted to the printing apparatus together with the print job. ,
The printing apparatus creates a print log including a project identifier in addition to print information such as user information and department information. As a result, the print logs can be totaled on the basis of the project, so that it is possible to easily calculate the cost required for each project.

Further, when the upper limit of the cost is determined for each project, it is possible to restrict the use of the printing apparatus according to the contents of the print log total result for each project.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a project identifier is added to a print job by inputting a project in the project name input section 502 of the user interface 501 of the printer driver. In this embodiment, when a plurality of users related to a certain project store print documents in a specific directory, the name of the directory in which the print documents exist is automatically set as a project identifier. This prevents erroneous input when designating a project and eliminates the complexity of setting.

The procedure of the operation of the print client computer 100-1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Each procedure is performed by the print client computer 1
The CPU 101 of 00-1 includes the ROM 102 and the RAM 10
3, executed by performing processing according to a program stored in the HD 111 or the like.

First, in step S1101, the directory name where the print document of the print client computer 100-1 exists is acquired and set as a project identifier.

In step S1102, the project identifier acquired in step S1101 is stored in the project identifier field 604 of the job packet.

In step S1103, the job packet is transmitted to the printing apparatus 200.

According to this embodiment, when a print document is stored in a directory for each project, a complicated operation can be performed by using the name of the directory where the print document exists as the project identifier of the print job. Without setting up a print job project.

(Embodiment 3) In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 20
For printing a print job file stored in a storage device such as the HD 211 in the storage unit 0 (hereinafter, referred to as file print), a project identifier is added to the print job.

First, the print client computer 10
The procedure of operation 0-1 will be described with reference to FIG. still,
Each procedure is performed by the CPU 101 of the print client computer 100-1 by the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the HD 1
11 is performed by performing processing according to a program stored in the storage unit 11 or the like.

The user operates the print client computer 1
When the user logs in to 00-1 and issues a print instruction, the application 301 activates the data processing unit 302.

In step S1401, a user interface 1201 for setting a printer driver (data processing unit 302) as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the CRT 110 of the print client computer 100-1.
A project name input unit 1202 together with a printing device (not shown) to be used, a print document, a print range, the number of copies, and the like.
Select the project name and set. Thus, the project can be specified by the printer driver. In addition, a project can be arbitrarily registered and deleted.

In step S1402, the file print command is stored in the header code 1301 of the job packet shown in FIG. 13, the print document specified by the printer driver is stored in the data field 1305, and the project identifier is stored in the project identifier field 1304.
To be stored.

In step S1403, the job packet is transmitted to the printing device 200.

Next, the procedure of the operation of the printing apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Each procedure is performed by the printing apparatus 200.
CPU 201 of ROM 202, RAM 203, HD
It is executed by performing processing according to a program stored in 211 or the like.

In step S1501, a job packet is received from the print client computer 100-1.
In the following processing, the received job packet is
Handled as job data composed of a plurality of job packets.

In step S1502, the job data received in step S1501 is analyzed by the data analysis unit 323, and it is determined whether a job start command is stored in the header code 601.

If it is determined in step S1502 that the job start command is stored, in step S1503, an area for creating a new print log is set in the log data storage unit 32.
5, and stores the user identifier and the department identifier of the job packet in a predetermined field of the print log.

In step S1504, it is determined whether the project data is stored in the job data received in step S1501.

If it is determined in S1504 that the project identifier is stored, in S1505, the project identifier added to the job data is stored in the project identifier field 905 of the print log.

In step S1506, the job data received in step S1501 is analyzed for each job packet.

If it is determined in step S1506 that the file print command is stored in the header code 601, it is determined in step S1511 whether the file job specified by the file print identifier is stored in a memory such as the HD 211 of the printing apparatus 200. I do.

If it is determined in step S1511 that the corresponding file job is stored, the process proceeds to step S1507.
The corresponding file job is transmitted to the print mechanism unit 322 as print data.

The job packet determined to store the job attribute / print data in the header code 601 in S1506 is transmitted to the printing mechanism 322 in S1507.

The job packet for which it is determined in step S1506 that the job end command is stored in the header code 601 waits for the last sheet ejection, and after the sheet ejection is completed, returns to step S1506.
At 510, print result information such as an end result and the number of prints is obtained from the print mechanism unit 322 and stored in a print log.
The recording to the print log data ends.

If it is determined in step S1502 that the job start command is not stored in the header code 601, it is determined in step S1508 whether the job attribute / print data is stored in the header code 601.

If it is determined in S1508 that the job attribute / print data is stored in the header code 601, the above-described processing from S1504 is executed in order.

If it is determined in step S1508 that the job attribute / print data is not stored in the header code 601,
In step S1512, it is determined whether a file print command is stored in the header code 601.

If it is determined in step S1512 that the file print command is stored in the header code 601, the processes in and after step S1504 are sequentially performed.

If it is determined in step S1512 that the file print command is not stored in the header code 601, it is determined in step S1509 whether a job end command is stored.

If it is determined in step S1509 that the job end command is stored, the process waits for the last sheet ejection, and after the sheet ejection is completed, executes step S1510.

According to the present embodiment, even when a user belonging to a project requests file printing from a printing apparatus via a PC, an arbitrary project is set and a file print command is issued when requesting output of a print job. Together with the project identifier, the printing device creates a print log associated with the project identifier in addition to the user information and the department information. Thus, even when performing file printing, the print logs can be totaled based on the project, so that the cost required for each project can be easily calculated.

As another embodiment, based on the user information of the user who issues the print instruction, only the project to which the user belongs is displayed as a selection item and can be selected by the project name input section 502 (or 1202). I do. As a result, it is possible to prevent a user who instructs printing from erroneously selecting a project to which the user does not belong. In this case, the print client computer 100
User information and a plurality of projects to which the user corresponding to the user information belongs are registered in advance in a storage device such as the HD 111 of the -1. Then, only the project corresponding to the user information acquired when the user logs in to the client computer 100-1 is displayed on the project name input section 502 (or 1202) so that the user can select it.

The above-described project identifier adding program and print log totalizing program according to the present embodiment may be executed by the computer 100 by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the program may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory or a floppy disk, or an information group including the program from an external storage medium via a network such as e-mail or personal computer communication.
By loading on 0, it is applied even when supplied to the computer 100.

FIG. 16 shows a CD-R as an example of a storage medium.
It is a figure showing a memory map of OM. An area 9999 stores directory information, an area 9998 storing an installation program thereafter, and an area 999 storing a network device control program.
7 is shown. Reference numeral 9998 denotes an area in which an installation program is stored. Reference numeral 9997 denotes an area in which a program for controlling each operation is stored. When the program of the present embodiment is installed in computer 100, the installation program stored in area 9998 storing the installation program is first loaded into the system and executed by CPU 101. Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 101 reads the program from the area 9997 storing the program, and stores the program in the hard disk (HD) 111.

The present embodiment can be applied to a system or an integrated device composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, etc.) or to a device composed of one device. Good.

A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or a CPU or an MPU (Micro PPU)) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It is needless to say that the object of the present invention can be attained by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by the processing unit). In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
As a storage medium for supplying the program code,
For example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, and the like can be used. The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program code. In addition, the OS or the like running on the computer executes one of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. The functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by performing all or a part of the processing. Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

According to the present invention, the program is distributed to a requester via a communication line such as a personal computer communication from a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to such a case.

[0098]

According to the present invention described above, the user can designate an arbitrary project when information for outputting data to the output device is transmitted from the information processing device. Further, since the output result and the project arbitrarily specified by the user are recorded in association with each other, the output result can be easily totaled for each project arbitrarily specified by the user. For example, each time information for causing a printing apparatus to print data is transmitted, the user can arbitrarily specify a project as a billing destination, and can total output results for each billing destination.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a PC (Personal Computer).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a print log totaling system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the print client computer.

FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface of a printer driver.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of a job packet.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the print log aggregation computer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the structure of print log data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface of a print log total result.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an operation of the print client computer.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a user interface of a file print utility.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a structure of a job packet.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the print client computer.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an operation of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a memory map in a storage medium of software.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an organization in a business such as a company.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 PC (Personal Computer) 100-1 print client computer 100-2 print log totaling computer 301 application 302 data processing unit 303 interface control unit (I / F) 311 display unit 312 print log management unit 313 print log acquisition unit 314 print log Data storage unit 108 Interface control unit (I / F) 200 Printing device (network device) 208 Interface control unit (I / F) 322 Printing mechanism unit 323 Data analysis unit 324 Log management unit 325 Log data storage unit

Claims (36)

[Claims] In an output result totaling system including an information processing device and an output device, a project of an arbitrarily designated project is transmitted when information for outputting data to the output device is transmitted from the information processing device. An output result totaling system, comprising: a setting unit for setting an identifier; and a recording unit for recording the project identifier set by the setting unit and the output result in association with each other. 2. The output result totaling system according to claim 1, wherein the project identifier set by said setting means is based on information on a project specified by a user input of said information processing apparatus. 3. The output result totaling system according to claim 1, wherein the project identifier set by the setting unit is based on information on a directory in which output data specified by a user of the information processing apparatus exists. . 4. The information processing device according to claim 1,
Alternatively, another information processing apparatus includes a totaling unit that totalizes output results recorded by the recording unit based on the project identifier. 5. The output result totaling system according to claim 1, wherein user information and department information uniquely corresponding to the user information are previously registered in the output result totaling system.
An output result totaling system, wherein at least one of user information of the information processing apparatus and department information based on the user information is included in an output result and recorded. 6. The information processing device according to claim 5,
Alternatively, another information processing apparatus includes a counting unit that counts an output result recorded by the recording unit based on at least one of the project identifier, the user information, and the department information. Output result aggregation system. 7. The output result according to claim 4, wherein the information processing device or another information processing device performs charging based on the output result totalized by the totaling unit. Aggregation system. 8. The output result according to claim 1, wherein the project identifier set by the setting means is specified from one or a plurality of projects corresponding to user information of a user of the information processing apparatus. Aggregation system. 9. An information processing apparatus for transmitting information for causing an output device to output data, a setting means for setting a project identifier of an arbitrarily designated project when transmitting the information to the output device. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a transmitting unit configured to transmit the project identifier set by the setting unit and the data. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the project identifier set by the setting means is based on information on a project specified by a user input of the information processing apparatus. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the project identifier set by the setting unit is based on information on a directory in which output data specified by a user of the information processing apparatus exists. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the project identifier set by said setting means is specified from one or a plurality of projects corresponding to user information of a user of said information processing apparatus. apparatus. 13. The transmitting device according to claim 9, wherein
An information processing apparatus for transmitting at least one of user information of a user of the information processing apparatus and department information uniquely corresponding to the user information. 14. An output device for performing output based on information for outputting data transmitted from an information processing device, a determination unit configured to determine a project identifier of an arbitrarily designated project included in the information, An output device comprising a recording unit for recording the project identifier determined by the determination unit and the output result of the data in association with each other. 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the determination unit also determines user information on a user of the information processing apparatus and department information uniquely corresponding to the user information, and the recording unit determines the project information and the user information. An output device for recording at least one of information and the department information in association with an output result of the data. 16. An information processing apparatus for summing up output results of an output device, comprising: discriminating means for discriminating a project identifier of an arbitrarily designated project; and outputting the output result based on the project identifier discriminated by the discriminating means. An information processing apparatus comprising a counting means for counting. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the determination by the determination unit uniquely corresponds to the user information of a user who transmitted information for outputting data to the output device via an information processing device, and the user information. An information processing apparatus, wherein department information is also determined, and the aggregation by the aggregation means is performed based on at least one of the project identifier, the user information, and the department information. 18. A control method for controlling an information processing apparatus for transmitting information for outputting data to an output device, wherein the information is transmitted to the output device, a project identifier of an arbitrarily designated project is specified. A control method comprising: a setting step for setting; and a transmitting step for transmitting the project identifier and the data set in the setting step. 19. The control method according to claim 18, wherein the project identifier set in the setting step is based on information on a project specified by a user input of the information processing device. 20. The control method according to claim 18, wherein the project identifier set in the setting step is based on information on a directory in which output data specified by a user of the information processing apparatus exists. 21. The control method according to claim 18, wherein the project identifier set in the setting step is specified from one or a plurality of projects corresponding to user information of a user of the information processing apparatus. . 22. The transmission method according to claim 18, wherein the transmission step is a step of transmitting at least one of user information of a user of the information processing apparatus and department information uniquely corresponding to the user information. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 23. A storage medium storing a program for controlling an information processing device for transmitting information for outputting data to an output device, the program being arbitrarily designated when transmitting the information to the output device. A storage medium storing a program having a setting step of setting the project identifier of the above and a transmission step of transmitting the project identifier and the data set in the setting step. 24. The program according to claim 23, wherein the project identifier set in the setting step stores a program which is a project identifier based on information on a project specified by a user input of the information processing apparatus. Storage media. 25. A program according to claim 23, wherein the project identifier set in said setting step is a program which is an identifier based on information on a directory in which output data designated by a user of said information processing apparatus exists. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 26. The program according to claim 23, wherein the project identifier set in the setting step is a program stored as an identifier specified from one or more projects corresponding to the user information of the user of the information processing apparatus. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 27. The program according to claim 23, wherein the transmitting step is a transmitting step for transmitting at least one of user information of a user of the information processing apparatus and department information uniquely corresponding to the user information. A storage medium characterized by storing therein. 28. A control method for controlling an output device that performs output based on information for outputting data transmitted from an information processing device, wherein a project identifier of an arbitrarily designated project included in the information is determined. And a recording step for recording the project identifier determined in the determination step and the output result of the data in association with each other. 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the determination step is a determination step for determining user information on a user of the information processing apparatus and department information uniquely corresponding to the user information. A control step of recording at least one of the project information, the user information, and the department information in association with an output result of the data. 30. A storage medium storing a program for controlling an output device that performs output based on information for outputting data transmitted from an information processing device, the program including a program of an arbitrarily designated project included in the information. A storage medium storing a program having a discriminating step for discriminating a project identifier, and a recording step for recording the project identifier discriminated in the discriminating step and the output result of the data in association with each other. 31. A storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the determination step is a determination step for determining user information relating to a user of the information processing apparatus and department information uniquely corresponding to the user information. A storage medium storing a program as a recording step for recording at least one of the project information, the user information, and the department information in association with an output result of the data. 32. A control method for controlling an information processing device for summing up output results of an output device, comprising: a discriminating step for discriminating a project identifier of an arbitrarily specified project; and a project identifier discriminating in the discriminating step. A totalizing step for totalizing the output results on the basis of the control method. 33. The discriminating apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the discriminating in the discriminating step uniquely corresponds to user information of a user who transmitted information for outputting data to the output device via an information processing device, and the user information. A control method, wherein department information is also determined, and the aggregation in the aggregation step is performed based on at least one of the project identifier, the user information, and the department information. 34. A discriminating step for discriminating a project identifier of an arbitrarily designated project in a storage medium storing a program for controlling an information processing device for counting output results of the output device, and discriminating in the discriminating step. A storage medium storing a program having a tallying step for tallying the output results based on a given project identifier. 35. The information processing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the discrimination in the discriminating step uniquely corresponds to user information of a user who transmitted information for outputting data to the output device via an information processing device, and the user information. A storage medium storing a program for determining department information, and for performing the aggregation in the aggregation step based on at least one of the project identifier, the user information, and the department information. 36. In an output result totaling system including an information processing device and an output device, when information for outputting data to the output device is transmitted from the information processing device, an arbitrarily designated billing destination is designated. An output result totaling system, comprising: a setting means for setting a billing destination identifier; and a recording means for recording the billing destination identifier set by the setting means in association with an output result.